Visit to the cellar and tasting

The most appealing part of this experience is its setting: you move from vineyard and wildlife oasis to the cellar and Bottaia, then sit down to taste five wines with food from the surrounding area. It feels more connected to the land than a tasting held only at a bar.

I like the choice between an Autochthonous flight and a Territorials flight, and I like that both include proper local pairings rather than a few dry crackers. The main consideration is time: the visit lasts about one hour, so this is a compact introduction, not a long winery day with a leisurely meal.

Key points

• Two five-wine flights: Choose the Autochthonous selection or the Territorials selection.
• A walk beyond the cellar: The visit includes the vineyard and a wildlife oasis before the tasting.
• Romagna on the table: Expect cured meats, Cau and Spada cheeses, and local oil.
• A private setting: Only your own group takes part in the activity.
• Owners and staff add a personal touch: Davide, Raphael, Raf, Loredana, Maria Pia, Valentina, and Tonon are associated with the warm, hands-on welcome described at the winery.
• Good value for a short stop: At $54.19 per person, the price includes the visit, five tastings, and food, but not a full lunch.

Arriving at Enio Ottaviani near San Clemente

The winery is at Via Pian di Vaglia 17 in San Clemente, in the Rimini area of Emilia-Romagna. This is wine country with a distinctly local feel, and the setting matters here. You are not simply handed five glasses in a tasting room. The visit takes you through the vineyard, the wildlife oasis, the cellar, and the Bottaia Enio Ottaviani.

The Bottaia is the part of the winery associated with barrel aging. Even if your knowledge of wine is modest, seeing the production spaces before tasting gives you a better sense of where the wine comes from. You can connect the glass in front of you with the vines and cellar you have just visited.

The activity lasts about one hour. That makes it easy to fit into a day exploring the area, but you should set your expectations correctly. The visit gives you a focused look at the winery and a five-wine tasting. It is not designed as a long vineyard walk, an all-afternoon food program, or a full winery lunch.

The tour begins and ends at the same address. There is no transport included, so you need to make your own way to San Clemente. The experience is offered in English, and it is private, meaning only your group participates. That is useful if you want to ask questions without sharing the table with a large bus group.

The vineyard and wildlife oasis

The outdoor portion gives the tasting a sense of place. You visit the vineyard and a wildlife oasis before settling in with the wines. The supplied details do not specify the length of the walk or the species found in the oasis, so you should think of this as a winery visit with an outdoor component, not a nature excursion.

I like this order. Starting among the vines helps you understand that the winery is part of a working rural setting. It also gives you a chance to enjoy the property before moving indoors. The location has been praised for its beauty and care, and the vineyard surroundings appear to be a major part of the appeal.

The experience may suit couples, families, and small groups equally well. It has enough scenery to make the stop pleasant for someone who is not a serious wine enthusiast, while the two tasting routes give wine-focused visitors something to compare.

If you visit in warm weather, ask where the tasting will take place and how much time you will spend outside. One account described wine warming quickly when served outdoors in direct sun. That is a small but practical point: shade and serving temperature can make a real difference to white and sparkling wines.

Inside the cellar and Bottaia

After the outdoor visit, you go into the cellar and Bottaia Enio Ottaviani. This is where the tasting gains context. Rather than treating every bottle as an isolated product, the staff can explain the winery’s methods, its grapes, and its connection to the territory.

Davide is associated with the wine explanations and is described as bringing energy and personal passion to the presentation. Raphael, also referred to as Raf, has been praised for giving a detailed introduction to the winery. Loredana and Maria Pia are connected with the warm hospitality side, while Valentina has been singled out for attentive service. These names give the visit a human face, though the exact person leading your appointment can vary.

The information available does not promise a technical lesson on fermentation, barrel types, or vintage comparisons. You should expect an accessible introduction rather than a formal wine course. That may be the right balance for a mixed group, especially if one person is keen on wine and another mainly wants a pleasant local stop.

The private format helps here. You can ask what makes one wine different from another, which foods suit a bottle, or what the winery means by autochthonous and territorial. You are not trying to catch up with a large group or wait while a guide repeats the same explanation in several languages.

Choosing the Autochthonous tasting

The Autochthonous route includes five wines:

• Strati
• Bio Primalba
• Caciara
• Dado
• Sole Rosso

The word autochthonous points to local grape varieties and regional identity. The experience description does not provide tasting notes, grape details, or vintages, so I would not arrive expecting a fixed list of flavors. The useful part of this flight is the chance to taste wines selected around local character rather than simply choosing familiar international varieties.

The food pairing includes cured meats from the local Macelleria Stringati, Cau and Spada cheeses, and local oil. This is a strong match for the setting. Cured meat and cheese give the tasting substance, and the oil adds another regional product to the table.

This route is likely the better choice if you want the strongest sense of Romagna in the glass. It also makes sense for visitors who prefer discovering less familiar names instead of ordering another predictable Merlot or Cabernet.

The winery’s food service has earned particular affection for its focaccia, including a gourmet stuffed version, though the formal tasting details specifically promise cured meats, cheese, and oil. If focaccia or other dishes are important to you, ask what is included in your booking rather than assuming extras come with the tasting.

Choosing the Territorials tasting

The Territorials route includes:

• Mada
• Clemente Primo
• Filare 15
• 928
• Merlot

This flight gives you a broader comparison. Merlot will be the most immediately familiar name for many people, while the other wines allow you to explore the winery’s own range and its regional approach.

I would choose this option if you like comparing a local producer’s style across different wine identities. It may also suit a group with mixed tastes, since a familiar variety can provide an easy reference point.

Again, the available information does not list vintages, grape percentages, or serving order. The value lies in the five pours and the explanation that accompanies them, not in a guaranteed technical comparison of specific harvest years.

Both flights come with the same style of regional food. The pairing is more than decoration. Cured meats and cheese can soften the effect of tannin, while oil and bread-based foods can change how you notice acidity and texture. You get a fuller tasting experience than you would from wine alone.

The food pairing: local, simple, and important

The formal starter is cured meats, cheeses, and local oil. The meats come from Macelleria Stringati, and the cheeses are from Cau and Spada. These named suppliers matter because they keep the food tied to the area instead of turning the tasting into a generic catering stop.

Portions are not described, so do not book this expecting a substantial lunch. The food should be enough to accompany the five wines, but you may still want another meal later in the day.

Additional food experiences at the winery have included focaccia, pickles, cappelletti in broth, and larger menus for groups. Those dishes are not guaranteed as part of this one-hour tasting. Think of them as possible signs of the broader food culture at the property, not promises included in your ticket.

I especially like the pairing for visitors who want a taste of Romagna without committing to a long restaurant meal. You can sit, eat a few quality local products, and continue with your day. For a full evening, though, check the exact food plan before booking.

How the $54.19 price measures up

At $54.19 per person, this is not the cheapest quick wine tasting. The price is easier to justify because it includes several parts: the cellar visit, vineyard and wildlife oasis visit, Bottaia access, five wines, and a local starter.

The private format also adds value. If your group is small, you are paying for a more personal appointment rather than a seat in a crowded public tasting. That matters most if you plan to ask questions or want the visit to match your pace.

The value is weaker if you only want a single glass and a snack. It is also less compelling if you expect a long guided walk, a large meal, or detailed technical instruction. The one-hour duration keeps the experience efficient, but it limits how much can be covered.

For me, the price works best for couples and small groups who want an organized winery visit with food and do not need transportation. It is also a reasonable choice for a day in the San Clemente area, where the winery setting provides more than a stand-alone tasting counter.

Service, atmosphere, and a few cautions

The strongest impression is of a family-style operation with people who care about the wines and the welcome. Davide’s explanations, Raphael’s winery introduction, and the attention associated with Loredana, Maria Pia, and Valentina suggest a hands-on team rather than an anonymous corporate setup.

Service may not be perfectly consistent. Some accounts describe staff as kind, helpful, and generous with extra pours. Other experiences describe an aloof room manager, slow attention, ordering confusion, and a billing mistake involving glasses and bottles. I would keep your order clear and check the bill before paying, especially if you add wine or food beyond the tasting.

Smoking rules have also caused confusion in the past. The property has been described as non-smoking in some areas, while outdoor arrangements have not always felt consistent. If that matters to you, ask about the current rule when you arrive.

The property itself is described as clean and carefully maintained. Music, including 1970s and 1980s selections, may be part of the atmosphere during food service. That can be fun for some groups and distracting for others, so this is not a silent, formal wine school.

Timing, booking, and who should go

Appointments are offered Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The published availability runs through July 7, 2026. Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

I would choose a cooler time of day if you are concerned about outdoor heat. The late afternoon and evening window may also suit a group hoping to combine the tasting with dinner, but remember that the included food is listed as a starter, not a complete dinner.

The experience is accessible to most participants, and service animals are allowed. No special physical requirements are listed, but the visit includes time in the vineyard, so practical footwear is sensible.

You can cancel without a charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. That is a fair policy, but it makes it worth checking your transport and schedule before reserving.

Should you book this winery visit?

Book it if you want a short, private winery experience with a real sense of place, five wines, and regional food. The vineyard, wildlife oasis, cellar, and Bottaia give the hour some variety, while the Autochthonous and Territorials flights let you choose the kind of comparison you prefer.

I would be especially happy with this choice for a couple, family, or small group already exploring Emilia-Romagna by car. The main cautions are the short duration, lack of included transport, and reports of uneven service on busy or poorly managed visits.

Choose the Autochthonous flight for local grape character. Choose the Territorials flight if you want a broader set that includes Merlot. Either way, confirm the food details, arrive with realistic expectations, and check any extra charges before leaving.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting take place?

The experience begins at Enio Ottaviani Vini e Vigneti, Via Pian di Vaglia 17, 47832 San Clemente RN, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The visit lasts approximately one hour.

What does the visit include?

It includes a cellar visit, a tour in the vineyard and wildlife oasis, a visit to the Bottaia Enio Ottaviani, and a five-wine tasting with cured meats, cheese, and local oil.

What wines are included in the Autochthonous option?

The Autochthonous tasting includes Strati, Bio Primalba, Caciara, Dado, and Sole Rosso.

What wines are included in the Territorials option?

The Territorials tasting includes Mada, Clemente Primo, Filare 15, 928, and Merlot.

Is the food included?

Yes. The tasting includes cured meats from Macelleria Stringati, Cau and Spada cheeses, and local oil.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.